Clergy
SOC Code: 21-2011Also known as:
Administrator Pastor, Bishop, Brother, Campus Minister, Campus Pastor
Median Annual Salary
$60,820
+1.0% growth (2024-2034)
23K
Openings/Year
262K
Current Jobs
What Clergy Do
Conduct religious worship and perform other spiritual functions associated with beliefs and practices of religious faith or denomination. Provide spiritual and moral guidance and assistance to members.
💰 Salary
$60,820
Median annual wage (2024)
📈 Job Growth
+1.0%
As fast as average
🎓 Education
Bachelor's degree
Typical entry-level requirement
🚀 Annual Openings
23K
Projected average per year
📚 On-the-Job Training
Moderate-term on-the-job training
Expected training period
Employment Projections (2024-2034)
Current Employment (2024)
262,000
Projected Employment (2034)
264,600
Related Careers
Social and community service managers
$78,240 •
+6.4% growth
Educational, guidance, and career counselors and advisors
$65,140 •
+3.5% growth
Child, family, and school social workers
$58,570 •
+3.4% growth
Social and human service assistants
$45,120 •
+6.4% growth
Directors, religious activities and education
$54,840 •
+2.1% growth
Top Skills Required
Speaking
Active Listening
Social Perceptiveness
Instructing
Service Orientation
Daily Tasks & Responsibilities
- Pray and promote spirituality.
- Prepare and deliver sermons or other talks.
- Read from sacred texts, such as the Bible, Torah, or Koran.
- Organize and lead regular religious services.
- Instruct people who seek conversion to a particular faith.
- Share information about religious issues by writing articles, giving speeches, or teaching.
- Counsel individuals or groups concerning their spiritual, emotional, or personal needs.
- Administer religious rites or ordinances.
- Prepare people for participation in religious ceremonies.
- Visit people in homes, hospitals, or prisons to provide them with comfort and support.
Technology & Tools
📚 Entry-Level Education
Bachelor's degree
Most common requirement
🎯 Recommended Education
Master's Degree
O*NET recommended level
Degree Programs for Clergy
These degree programs can prepare you for a career as a clergy:
Divinity/Ministry
6,724 degrees awarded •
244 colleges offer this program
Theology/Theological Studies
6,345 degrees awarded •
288 colleges offer this program
Theological and Ministerial Studies, Other
1,726 degrees awarded •
113 colleges offer this program
Pastoral Studies/Counseling
1,323 degrees awarded •
109 colleges offer this program
Youth Ministry
327 degrees awarded •
67 colleges offer this program
Pre-Theology/Pre-Ministerial Studies
192 degrees awarded •
29 colleges offer this program
Clinical Pastoral Counseling/Patient Counseling
187 degrees awarded •
18 colleges offer this program
Rabbinical Studies
148 degrees awarded •
12 colleges offer this program
Chaplain/Chaplaincy Studies
30 degrees awarded •
7 colleges offer this program
Best Colleges for Becoming a Clergy
Ranked by Repit grade, then by degrees in related programs. These are the top-rated colleges that prepare students to become clergy.
| # | College | Location | Related Degrees | Repit Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Notre Dame | Notre Dame, IN | 163 | A |
| 2 | Duke University | Durham, NC | 157 | A |
| 3 | Emory University | Atlanta, GA | 138 | A |
| 4 | Harvard University | Cambridge, MA | 129 | A |
| 5 | Boston University | Boston, MA | 107 | A |
| 6 | University of Chicago | Chicago, IL | 90 | A |
| 7 | Yale University | New Haven, CT | 81 | A |
| 8 | Vanderbilt University | Nashville, TN | 62 | A |
| 9 | Boston College | Chestnut Hill, MA | 120 | B+ |
| 10 | Santa Clara University | Santa Clara, CA | 54 | B+ |
| 11 | Faith Theological Seminary and Christian College | Tampa, FL | 99 | B |
| 12 | Southern Methodist University | Dallas, TX | 69 | B |
| 13 | Baylor University | Waco, TX | 60 | B |
| 14 | Bob Jones University | Greenville, SC | 43 | B |
| 15 | Liberty University | Lynchburg, VA | 1,889 | C+ |
| 16 | Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary | Kansas City, MO | 511 | C+ |
| 17 | Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary | Wake Forest, NC | 347 | C+ |
| 18 | New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary | New Orleans, LA | 293 | C+ |
| 19 | Moody Bible Institute | Chicago, IL | 259 | C+ |
| 20 | Regent University | Virginia Beach, VA | 230 | C+ |
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much do clergy make?
The median annual salary for clergy is $60,820.
What education do clergy need?
Most clergy positions require a bachelor's degree.
Common degree programs include Divinity/Ministry, Theology/Theological Studies, Theological and Ministerial Studies, Other.
Is becoming a clergy a good career choice?
Clergy is projected to see +1.0% job growth from 2024 to 2034,
which is about average for all occupations. With approximately 23,000 job openings expected annually,
there are good opportunities for those entering the field.
What are the best colleges for clergy?
Top colleges for aspiring clergy include
University of Notre Dame, Duke University, Emory University, Harvard University, Boston University.
These schools are ranked based on their Repit grade and the number of graduates in related programs.
What other job titles are similar to clergy?
Clergy may also be known as: Administrator Pastor, Bishop, Brother, Campus Minister, Campus Pastor, Cantor, Catechist, Catholic Priest, Chancellor, Chaplain, Chaplain Resident, Children's Minister, Children's Pastor, Church Pastor, Clergy Member, College Chaplain, Confessor, Curate, Deacon, Deaconess.
These titles often refer to similar roles with varying responsibilities or specializations.